Boston Bombing Suspect Indicted, Faces Possible Death Penalty

Dzohkhar Tsarnaev, the surviving Boston bombing suspect, was indicted on more than 30 charges today and could face the death penalty.

Tsarnaev has been charged with the murder of three marathon attendees as well as MIT Officer Sean Collier, who died during a shootout with Tsarnaev and his brother Tamerlan. Tamerlan was killed as the brothers fled.

“Seventeen of the charges authorize a penalty of up to life in prison or the death penalty. The remaining charges authorize a maximum penalty of life in prison or a fixed term of years. He is charged with the bombing of a place of public use and malicious destruction of property resulting in death and conspiracy, carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, and interference with commerce by threats or violence.”

After his capture, Tsarnaev communicated to police by writing–because of a gunshot wound to the neck, he couldn’t speak–and said that his brother had masterminded the attack on behalf of Islam. He claims the two of them worked alone, and investigators have found no reason to believe that they had help in their native Russia.